Reel forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for automatically converting blanks of various lengths of sheet material into parallelepiped shaped cloth reels of various lengths having a longitudinally extending strengthening web means and integrally formed end flaps upon which information can be printed.

United States Patent [191 Keener et a1.

[ REEL FORMING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Arthur Keener; Larry David Bradford, both of lrving; Laverne E. Gray, Dallas; John W. McLeod, Dallas; Billy W. Carter, Dallas, all

of Tex.

[73] Assignee: Lone Star Container Corporation,

Dallas, Tex.

[22] Filed: Aug. 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 168,562

UNITED STATES PATENTS Clark, Jr. 242/61 X l lll lll DOWN 60 3 POSlTION 7B [451 May 7,1974

2,896,517 7/1959 Labombarde 931/49 R 3,546,839 12/1970 Comstock 93/55.1 R 2,714,343 8/1955 Baker 93/49 R 2,669,167 2/1954 Behl 951/49 R 3,377,926 4/1968 Propper 93/49 R 2,477,355 7/1949 Walton 931/49 R 3,490,198 l/l970 Beckman et a1. 93/49 AC Pritnary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant ExaminerLeon Gilden Attorney, Agent, or FirmRichards, Harris & Medlock [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for automatically converting blanks of 12 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDIIAY 7 I974 sum 3 [IF 4 HOLD DOWN POSITION FIG. 9 SECOND FOLD POSITION I26 FIG.

SECOND FOLD POSITION I I G. 8

ADHESIVE APPLICATOR POSITION THIRD FOLD POSITION PRESS a DRY POSITION.

REEL FORMING APPARATUS The present invention relates to apparatus for manufacturing and assembling reels for cloth and the like and more particularly to a new and improved apparatus for manufacturing and assembling complex high strength reels of various lengths upon which fabrics or the like may be wrapped and stored.

In the handling of fabric and cloth material, it has been a general practice to employ reels formed from sheet material such as corrugated cardborad or the like as a center about which a length of material may be wrapped, so that the cloth may be easily handled during transport and storage. A number of different configurations of winding reels constructed from corrugated cardboard material have been previously used, and they have served the purpose of providing a center for material or fabric but have not proved entirely satisfactory under all conditions of service for the reason that considerable difficulty has been experienced in the bending and breaking of reels during their handling and transport, thus creasing or damaging the cloth and in some cases causing the cloth to unroll from the reel.

As a consequence, the structure of the winding reels has been altered to produce a stronger reel which would function better under various conditions of service. These new complex reel structures have the disadvantage of substantially adding to the cost of the reel due to the extra labor and materials involved in the assembly thereof. In some cases, these complex reel structures required the addition of a separate end flap or tape to provide a place for marking to be placed on the reel to identify th type, amount and cost of cloth wound thereon.

One of the improved configurations of the new, complex reel structures, utilized a web formed from a pair of longitudinal ribs which extended the length of the reel and bridged between the opposing sides of the reel to prevent bending of the reel itself, and utilized an integrally formed end flap structure. These ribs are located within the interior of the reel, thus presenting difficulties in the assembly and positioning thereof.

The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic reel forming apparatus which produces improved reels of various lengths from blanks of sheet material, which correctly positions the internal strengthening structure of the complex reels in position during assembly thereof; and which automatically attaches the end flaps thereto. To attain these results, the present invention contemplates the use of a new and improved automatic means for positioning the internal ribs in winding reels of various length, in combination with a new and improved apparatus for automatically attaching flaps to the end of reels of various lengths.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus of automatically forming reels about which lengths of cloth or the like may be wrapped from blanks of sheet material.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved apparatus for positioning the internal ribs during the forming of the reel.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved apparatus for automatically attaching end flaps to the reel structure.

An even further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved apparatus for forming reels of various lengths from blanks of sheet material.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved reel forming apparatus which is simple and inexpensive to operate, manufacture and assemble.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the improved apparatus of the present invention for forming reels from sheet material;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank of sheet material which can be utilized in the apparatus of the present invention to form a completed winding reel;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating one stage in the assembly of the reel showing the ribs folded at ninety degrees to the rest of the blank; 1

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another stage in the assembly of the reel showing the board folded with the longitudinal ribs in place;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the completed reel with the end flaps attached in place;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the first folding portion of the apparatus wherein the ribs are folded at right angles to the blank;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the second folding portion wherein the blank is folded to the shape shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8a is a partial sectional view taken on line 8a-8a of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8b is a partial sectional view taken on line 8b-8b of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. is a partial sectional view taken on line 8c-8c of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8d is a partial sectional view taken on line 8d-8d of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of a portion of the apparatus taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 10 is a partial side elevation view ofthe apparatus looking in the direction of arrows 10-10 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a partial section of the apparatus taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; I

FIG. 12 is a partial side elevational view of the apparatus looking in the direction of the arrows 12-12 of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 13 is partial sectional view of the apparatus taken on line 13-13 in FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus taken on lines 14-14 in FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

' DESCRIPTION Turning now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in the figures an embodiment of an apparatus for forming reels about which a length of cloth or the like may be wound. FIG. I is a plan view of the apparatus with the plane of the paper illustrated as being horizontal and with legs 21 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided under the apparatus 20-for supporting the same above the surface of the floor. The apparatus 20 has a suitable rigid frame 23 to which the legs 21 are attached and upon which various components of the apparatus are supported. The frame 23 supports a table 25 which forms a flat surface along which the reels slide during the operation of the apparatus. This table 25 is shown in- FIG. 1 as being generally L-shaped having first and second horizontal extending portions, 27 and 29,- respectively, which are arranged at right angles to each other.

It should be pointed out that the apparatus is shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without the winding reels and blanks therein so that the various components of the machine can be more clearly illustrated and described.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 can be utilized for forming winding reels, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 5, from flat blanks of sheet material, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 2. The blank 28, as shown in FIG. 2, has a generally rectangular shape with two end flap portions 36 and a plurality of longitudinally extending score or weakened fold lines 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43. These fold lines can be formed by various types of apparatus, it only being important that the blank be weakened along these lines so that the blank will tend to fold in a uniform manner along these lines when urged to do so. These fold lines divide the blank into several sections, i.e., a first rib section 44, a first top section 46, a first side section 48, a bottom section 50, a second section 52, asecond top section 54, and a sec- 0nd rib section 56. The'blank 28 itself can be cut from sheet material such as corrugated cardboard or the like in a manner which is well known in the art of manufacture of corrugated products. For example, the blank 28 shown in FIG. 2 could be formed by a die which cuts the outer configuration to the shape shown in FIG. 2 from a sheet of corrugated material while forming fold lines thereon and printing the blank as required.

In operation, the blanks 28 of sheet material are fed into the apparatus 20 at a feed position 22 which is located at one end of the first horizontally extended portion 27. The blanks are then transported along the first horizontally extending portion 27, in the direction of arrows 24 by a conveyer means supported on the frame 23, which will be hereinafter more fully described. The direction of the movement of the blank 28 with respect to its configuration is also shown in FIG. 2 with the arrow 24 denoting the direction in which the blank will move down this first horizontally extended portion 27. As subsequently will be more fully described, the blanks 28 are folded from the shape illustrated in FIG. 2 to the shape illustrated in FIG. 4 as they are conveyed along the apparatus 20 in the direction of arrow 24.

After the blank has been conveyed along the length of the first horizontally extending portion 27, a second conveyer means will engage the blank to move it along the second horizontally extending portion 29 in the direction of the arrows 26, as will hereinafter be more fully described. The direction of movement with respect to the configuration of the blank is illustrated in FIG. 4 by arrow 26. As substantially will be more fully described, the partially folded reels 30 are further folded from the shape illustrated in FIG. 4 to the shape illustrated in FIG. 5 as they are conveyed along the apparatus 20 in the direction of arrow 26. Thereafter, the reels are ejected from the apparatus 20 at 34 as will be hereinafter more fully described.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the blank is first moved in the direction of the arrows 24 parallel to its length along the first horizontally extending-portion 27, and is thereafter moved in the direction of arrows 26 transverse to its length along the second horizontally extended portion 28.

' FIRST HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING PORTION Turning now to a more detailed description of the apparatus, it is anticipated that an automatic feed apparatus could be located at the feed position 22 to successively feed individual blanks 28 onto the apparatus 20. There are various types of sheet feeding apparatus which are commonly known in the industry and are commercially available, and therefore the description of these apparatus is omitted from this application, and in fact is unimportant for the purpose of this invention in that the operation of the apparatus is independent of the means by which the blanks 28 are fed into the apparatus. It is also envisioned that the blanks 28 could be 7 fed directly into the feed position 22 from a die cuttin apparatus.

Performing the function of moving the individual blanks 28 along the length of the first horizontally extended portion 27, is a conveyer assembly 58. This conveyer assembly 58 is constructed from two endless chains or belts 60 which extend along the length of the first horizontal extended portion 27. These chains 60 are mounted in a parallel spaced relationship and enupper surface of the table 25 and extend the length of the first horizontally extending portion 27, while the lower half of the chains 60 are suspended below the table 25. By providing the grooves 61 through which the chains slide, the chains are therefore recessed from the upper surface of the table 25.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, a motor is mounted on the frame 23 and is provided with a sprocket 72 on its output shaft. This sprocket 72 is mechanically con.- nected to the shaft 68 by means of an endless chain or belt 74 and a sprocket 76 which is attached to the shaft 68. The motor 70 can be of various types which are commercially available to utilize the source of power available at the site, it only being necessary that the motor be of sufficient power to operate the apparatus.

Spaced along and attached to the chains 60 are a plurality of push bars 78 which are utilized to engage and push the individual blanks in the direction of arrows 24 along the apparatus as the upper half of the chains 60 are moved in the direction of arrows 24 by the motor 70. Each of these push bars 78 are provided with a central notch or groove 79 to provide clearance for various portions of the apparatus. Suitable control means, not shown are also provided for controlling the operation of the motor 70. It thus can be seen that by manipulating the control means, the speed of movement of the blanks 28 as they move along the first horizontally extending portion 27 can be regulated.

Once the blanks 28 are fed onto the conveyor-58, one end flap 36 of each blank 28 will be engaged by one push bar 78 to slide the blanks 28 along the table in the direction of arrow 24, which movement will be guided by vertically extending guides 80 and 82 positioned on the upper surface of the table 25.

As illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1 and 7, horizontal hold downs 84 and 88 are suspended from framemembers 100 and 102 and extend along the first horizontally extending portion 27 between the blank feed position 22 and to a point past the second folding position,

aswill hereinafter be described. An additional horizon-.

tal hold down 86 is provided and supported from the frame members 100 and 102 and extends along the first horizontal extending portion 27 of the apparatus 20 from a point adjacent the feed blank station to a point just in front of the second folding position, as will be hereinafter described. These hold downs 84, 86 and 88 are located in a spaced parallel relationship and are positioned so that they will positionthe blanks flat on the table 25 as they are moved by the conveyer. The hold down 86 is positioned so the central longitudinal portion of the blanks 28 will slide therealong. The hold downs 84 and 88 are positioned so that the portion of the blanks adjacent the fold lines 40 and 41 will slide therealong. These horizontal hold downs 84, 86 and 88 are vertically and horizontally adjustable with respect to the frames 100 and 102 so that they may be positioned as required.

FIRST FOLD POSITION Once the blanks 28 are engaged by the conveyor assembly 58 at the blank feed position 22, they will slide under and be positioned by the horizontal hold downs 84, 86 and 88. The blanks 28 will then be conveyed through the first fold position where they are converted from the shape shownin FIG. 2 to the shape shown in FIG. 3. As the blanks move through the first fold position, they engage a pair of vertically and horizontally adjustable fold guides 108 and 110 positioned adjacent a pair of fold ramps 104 and 106, respectively. These fold guides 108 and 110 will engage the blank 28 along fold lines 38 and 43 while the ramps 104 and 106 engage the tirst and second rib sections 44 and 56, respectively, to force the rib sections to fold at a 90 angle to the rest of the blank. The fold guides 108 and 110 force the blank to fold along the fold lines 38 and 43, thus folding the blank to the shape illustrated in FIG. 3.

After the blanks 28 are conveyed past the ramp structures 104 and 106, and guides 108 and 110 of the first fold position, a second pair of ramp fold guides 1 l2 and 114 can be provided to engage the ribs 44 and 46, respectively to fold or bend the rib section to an angle greater than 90. This additional folding of the 6 ribs will reduce the resistance to bending of the ribs so that the rbs can later be positioned in the reel.

SECOND FOLD POSITION After the blanks 28 leave the first fold position, they are in the shape illustrated in FIG.- 3 and are conveyed by the conveyer 58 through a second fold position which is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 8, 8a-8d, 9 and 10. This second fold position folds the blanks from the shape illustrated in FIG. 3 to the shape illustrated in FIG. 4 by use of a folding guide 116. This folding guide 116 is mounted on the surface of the table 25 and has a central opening which decreases in size in the direction of travel of the blanks 28 to fold the blanks 28, as will be described. Centrally positioned over the guide 116 to assist in the folding of the blanks is a rib guide assembly 118 which consists of a vertically extending plow or rib centering member 122, a horizontal hold down guide 126, and a horizontal rib positioning member 124. The elements of this assembly 118 are each provided with suitable means for varying their position with respect to the folding guide 1 16 to properly adjust the elements for folding blanks 28.

As the blank approaches and moves through the second fold position, it will be folded successively as shown in FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d. It will be noted that initially the rib sections, top sections and side sections of the blank are each in turn folded perpendicular to the bottom section 50 until the two rib sections 44 and 56 are guided by horizontal rib positioning member 124 to contact rib centering member 122 which guides the ribs to the position shown in FIG. 811, wherein the ribs contact and abut the bottom section 50. The horizonal rib positioning member 124 is provided to insure that the ribs are correctly orientated when they come into contact with the rib centering member 122. It will be noted that the horizontal hold downs 84 and 88 operate in conjunction with the sides of the folding guide 116 as shown in FIG. 8d to hold the partially folded reels 30 in a squared position and to insure that the folds along the length of the blank are at right angles.

HOLD DOWN POSlTION As the blanks28 are conveyed out the rear of the the top sections 46 and 54 in a direction toward the I bottom section 50 as the partially folded reels 30 clear the rear end of the rib centering member 122. This hor izontal hold down 126 continues to compress the reel 30 until the reel 30 advances under a pair of guide rods 132 and 134. These guide rods 132 and 134 are supported from frames 136 and 138 and provide a resilient downward force on the top sections 46 and 54 as the partially folded reels 30 travel along the first horizontal extending portion 27.

The frames 136 and 138 are attached to the frame 23 of the apparatus so that they may be vertically adjusted to vertically position the guide rods 132 and 134 supported therefrom. In FIG. 9, a typical mounting of one of the guide rods is illustrated. The guide rodl32 has a shaft 140 attached thereto at right angles to the length of the rod. This shaft 140 can be attached to the rod by suitable means such as welding and is provided with a collar 142 fixed thereon and spaced from the guide rod 132. The shaft 140 extends through a suitable bore in the frame 136 to slide therethrough in a vertical direction. At the upper end of the shaft 140, a transverse bore of suitable size is provided with a pin 144 to prevent dislodgement of the shaft 140 from the frame 136. A compression coil spring 146 is positioned around the shaft 140 and is compressed between a collar 142 and the frame 146 to resiliently urge the shaft 140 in a downward direction. In this manner, the guide rod 132 is also resiliently urged in a downward direction to press on the partially folded blank 30 as it moves along the apparatus through the action of the conveyer assembly 58. This resilient force exerted by guide rods 132 and 134 on the partially folded reel tends to retain the ribs 44 and 56 in contact with the bottom 50 and in a position which is perpendicular to the bottom during the movement of the, reel along the conveyer 58.

SECOND HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING PORTION As the partially-completed reels 30 reach 148, they are transferred by a rotating brush assembly 147 which contacts the top of the blank to move it to a second conveyor assembly 150. This assembly 150 is provided with means for engaging and moving the partially completed reels 30 along the second horizontally extending portion 29 in the direction of arrows 26.

This second conveyor assembly 150 consists of four separate endless chains or belts 152 which are entrained on and supported by sprockets 154 and 158 which are mounted on shafts 156 and 160 respectively. The shafts 156 and 160 are rotatably mounted on the frame 23 of the apparatus 20 and as can be seen in FIG. 11, the lower halves of the chains 152 are located below the table while the upper halves are located on the upper surface thereof and ride in grooves which are not shown, but are similar in structure to grooves 61 in the first horizontal extending portion 27 of the table 25.

I This second conveyor assembly 150 can be driven by motor 70 through asu'itable drive mechanism or driven by a separate motor. In the present embodiment the second conveyor assembly 150 is driven by the motor 70 and a typical drive mechanism is disclosed, herein. As can be seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, sprocket 162 is attached to the shaft 156, which is engaged by an endless belt 164, which is in turn driven by a sprocket 166. This sprocket 166 is'attached to an output shaft of the gear box 168 while the input shaft of this gear box 168 has a sprocket 172 attached thereto which is driven by an endless belt 170. This endless belt 170 is in turn driven by sprocket 174, which is in turn attached to shaft 68 which is driven as previously described. It can thus be seen that motor 70 drives not only the first conveyer assembly 58, but also the second. conveyer assembly 150.

The endless belts 150 carry a plurality of push blocks 175 which will engage the blocks at position 148 and convey them in the direction of arrow 26 along the surface or portion 29. An adjustably positioned guide member 173 is located at position 148 to limit movement of the blocks in the direction of arrows 24 and to act as a guide during movement of blocks in the direction of arrows 26. An additional hold down means 171 is located at position 148 and along the second portion 29 for'compressing the partially completed reels 30 to hold the ribs 44 and 56 in contact with the bottom 50 and in a position which is perpendicular to the bottom during movemnt of the 'reel along the conveyor assembly 150.

SCORING POSITION After the partially completed reels 30 are advanced by conveyer from position 148, they pass through a scoring position located on the second horizontally extending portion 29. This scoring portion consists of two pairs of creasing rollers 176 and 177 which are spaced'along and rotatably mounted on a shaft 178 with the circumference of each roller 176 being spaced above the surface of the table 25 a distance less than the thickness of the flap 36. These creasing roller pairs 176 and 177 are horizontally positioned to roll across and score the surface of the end flaps36 to form fold lines 180, 182, 184 and 186. It is also envisioned that the fold lines 180, 182, 184 and 186 could be formed in the blanks 28 prior to their being fed into the appara tus 20 but in the present apparatus, the forming of the fold lines has been delayed until the blanks reach the scoring position to allow the flaps 36 tohave an increased strength during the movement of the blanks along the first horizontally extending portion.

ADHESIVE APPLICATOR After the formation of the fold lines 180, 182, 184 and 186, the partially completed reels 30 are then moved by the conveyer 150 in the direction of arrows 26 through an automatic adhesive applicator assembly 188. This adhesive applicator assembly applies adhesive to the end flaps 36 so that they may be attached to the reel. The applicator assembly 188 consists of two adhesive applicator heads 198 and 200, each of which are positioned to apply adhesive to one of the end flaps 36. A start switch 202 and. a stop switch 203 are positioned above the table 25 of the second horizontal extending portion 29 in the area of the adhesive applicator station, to sense the positionv of the partially completed reel 30 as it moves under the adhesive applicator heads 198 and 200, and to in turn actuate said adhesive applicator heads when the reel passes the start switch 202 and to deactuate the adhesive applicator heads when the reel reaches the stop switch 203. In this man'- ner, the switches 202 and 203 control the applicator heads so that adhesive is dispensed only when the reels 30 are thereunder.

THIRD FOLD POSITION After the adhesive has been applied to the end flaps 36, the partially completed reel 30 is further conveyed in the direction of arrows 26 along a second horizon- PRESS AND DRY POSITION After the completed reels 32 leave the third folding position, they are transported off of the end of conveyer 150 and are forced into a press and dry apparatus. This press and dry apparatus forces the end flaps 36 against the first and second top sections 46 and 54 during the time the adhesive is drying. This is accomplished by successively forcing the reels 32 under two movable, endless belts 192 and 193 which are urged in a direction to compress the reels 32. The design of the length of this press and dry position is determined by the speed of movement of the reels 32 and the amount of time required for the adhesive to dry. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the endless belts 192and 193 are supported above the table by a plurality of pullies 194. Each of the belts 192 and 193 are positioned to compress one of the end flaps 36 with the pullies 194 resiliently urged in a downward direction by spring assemblies 195. A pair of guide members 204 and 205 are attached to the surface of the table 25 to align the ends of the reels 32 as they move through the press and dry position.

In operation, each successive reel 32 is forced under the belts 192 and 193 by the conveyor. The belts 192 and 193 will in turn move with the reels 32 until the reels are forced out at the eject position 196.

Once the reels are forced from under the belt at 196, the completed reels are ready for use, whereupon the reels can be stacked or packaged as required.

It is also envisioned that the apparatus could be utilized to construct reels of various lengths by adjusting parts of the apparatus 20. It is believed obvious that a blank feed apparatus could be utilized which would feed blanks of different lengths and that the first and second folding and hold down positions operate independent of the blanks length. The required adjustments would be in the elements located on the second horizontally extending portion. For example, suppose the apparatus 20, as shown in FIG. 1, is set up to fold reels 24 inches in length, and it is desired to fold reels inches in length. It is only necessary to move the guide member 173, roller pairs 177, adhesive applicator head 200, fold guide 190, endless belt 193 and guide 205 6 inches in the direction of arrow 24. To accommodate these changes in position of guides 173, 190 and 205, a plurality of mounting means are provided on the table 25, each positioned according to the lengths of blanks to be run. Roller pair 177 is slightly mounted on shaft 178 so that it may be positioned to accommodate reels of various lengths. In a similar manner, belt assemblies 193 and applicator head 200 are adjustably mounted on shafts to accommodate reels of various lengths. From the foregoing, it can be seen that by making minor adjustments, the apparatus can be utilized to form reels of various lengths.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is desired protected by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for forming a reel for cloth and the like from a blank of sheet material, said blank being quadrant in shape with two side and two end edges, said blank having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth spaced parallel weakened fold lines: defining seven adjacent quadrant sections, said fold lines being parallel to said side edges, a portion of each of said end edges, said first fold line and one side edge and a portion of each of said end edges defining a first rib section; a portion of each of said end edges and said first and second fold lines defining a first top section; a portion of each of said end edges and said second and said third fold lines defining a first side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said third and fourth fold lines defining a bottom section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fourth and fifth fold lines defining a second side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fifth and sixth fold lines defining a second top section; a portion of each of said end edges, said sixth fold line and the other side edge defining a second rib section; and said first rib, side and top sections being identical in shape and size with said second rib, side and top sections respectively, saidapparatus comprismg:

an elongated frame, conveyor means extending along said frame for continuously conveying individual blanks along said frame in a longitudinal direction, longitudinally extending folding die means fixed on said frame for folding said blanks while said blanks are continuously conveyed longitudinally through said die and along said frame, said folding die means extending longitudinally along said frame in the direction of conveyor movement past a first point on said conveyor, said folding means folding said blanks at a right angle along each of said fold lines to form reels having a quadrant body with said top and bottom sections forming first and second spaced parallel sides of said body, and said first and second side sections forming two other spaced parallel sides extending'at right angles to said first and second sides, web forming means folding said rib sections to extend, between said first and second sides of said body along the length of said body, said web forming means folding said rib sections into contact with said second side at said first point, guide means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame at least to said first point to extend into the interior of said folded blank and contact said ribs at said first point to thereby contact and position both of said ribs in said blank so that said ribs extend perpendicular to said first and second sides as said blank moves past said first point; and I compression means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame compressing said blank at and beyond said first point, said blank being compressed in a direction normal to said first and second sides to thereby retain said ribs in perpendicular position and frictional contact with said second side. I 2. An apparatus as defined in claim I wherein said means for folding said blanks initially folding said ribs with respect to said top sections at an angle greater than ninety degrees so that said ribs thereafter return to an angle of with respect to said top sections.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for folding said blanks holds said bottom section in sliding relationship against a flat surface while said blank is conveyed by said conveyor, and wherein means are provided for vertically restraining said bottom adjacent said third and fourth fold lines.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein guide means are provided for positioning said first and second side sections at a right angle with respect to said bottom section during and after folding of said blank.

5. An apparatus for forming a reel for cloth and the like from a blank of sheet material, said blank being quadrant in shape with two side and two end edges and with two quadrant shaped end flap sections extending from each of said end edges said end flap sections being separated from said blank by borders said blanks having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth spaced parallel weakened fold lines dividing said blank into seven adjacent quadrant sections, said fold lines being parallel to said side edges; a portion of each of said end edges, said first fold line and one side edge defining a first rib section; a portion of each of said end edges and said first and second fold lines defining a first top section; a portion of each of said end edges and said second and third fold lines defining a first side section; said borders of said end flaps and said third and fourth fold lines defining a bottom section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fourth and fifth fold lines defining a second side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fifth and sixth fold lines defining a second top section; a portion of each of said end edges, said sixth fold line and the other side edge defining a second rib section; said first rib, side and top sections being identical in shape and size with said second rib and top sections respectively, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated frame,

conveyor means extending along the frame for continuously conveying individual blanks along said frame in a longitudinal direction, I

longitudinally extending folding die means fixed on said frame for folding said blanks while said blanks are continuously conveyed longitudinally through said die and along said frame, said folding die means extending longitudinally along said frame in the direction of conveyor movement past a first point on said conveyor, said folding means folding said blanks at a right angle along each of said fold lines to form reels, said reel having an elongated quadrant body with said two top sections and said bottom section forming first and second spaced parallel sides of said body, said first and second side sections forming two other parallel spaced sides extending at right angles with respect to said first and second sides,

web forming means folding said rib sections to extend between said first and second sides of said body along the length of said body, said web forming means folding said rib sections into contact with said second side at said first point,

guide means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame at least to said first pointto extend into the interior of said folded blank and contact said ribs at said first point to thereby contact and position both of said ribs in said blank so that said ribs extend perpendicular to said first and second sides as said blank moves past said first point,

compression means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame compressing said blank at and beyond said first point, said blank being compressed in a direction normal to said first and second sides to thereby retain said ribs in perpendicular position and frictional contact with said second side, and

means for folding and attaching said end flap sections tosaid top sections while said compression means compresses said blanks.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said conveying means transports said blanks in a direction which is transverse to the length of said blank during the folding and attaching of said end flaps.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided to weaken each end flap sections along parallel spaced fold lines prior to said end flaps being folded into position.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided for attaching said end flap sections to said top sections by means of adhesive material.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein means are provided for positioning said end flaps perpendicular to said bottom section while said end flap sections are attached to said top sections by said adhesive material.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 additionally comprising means for forming reels of various lengths.

l I. An apparatus for forming a reel for cloth and the said first fold line and one side edge and a portion of each of said end edges defining a first rib section; a portion of each of said end edges and said first and second fold lines defining a first top section; a portion of each of said end edges and said second and said third fold lines defining a first side section; a portion of eachof said end edges and said third and fourth fold lines defining a bottom section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fourth and fifth fold lines defining a second side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fifth and sixth fold lines defining a second top section; a portion of each of said end edges, said sixth fold line and the other side edge defining a second rib section; and said first rib, side and top sections being identical in shape and size with said second rib, side and top sections respectively, said apparatus comprismg:

an elongated frame, conveyor means extending along said frame for continuously conveying individual blanks along said frame in a longitudinal direction, longitudinally extending folding die means fixed on said frame for folding said blanks while said blanks are continuously conveyed longitudinally through saiddie and along said frame, said folding die means extending longitudinally along said frame in the direction of conveyor movement past a first point, on said conveyor, said folding means folding said blanks at a right angle along each of said fold lines to form reels having a quadrant body with said top and bottom sections forming first and second spaced parallel sides of said body, and said first and second side sections forming two other spaced parallel sides extending at right angles to said first and second sides,

web forming means folding said rib sections to extend, between said first and second sides of said body along the length of said body, said web forming means folding said rib sections into contact with said second side at said first point,

the improvement which comprises guide means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame at least to said first point to extend into the interior of said folded blank and contact said ribs at said first point to thereby contact and position both of said ribs in said blank so that said ribs extend perpendicular to said first and second sides as said blank moves past said first point; and

compression means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame compressing said blank at and beyond said first point, said blank being compressed in a direction normal to said first and second sides to thereby retain said ribs in perpendicular position and frictional contact with said second side.

12. An apparatus for forming a reel for cloth and the like from a blank of sheet material, said blank being quadrant in shape with two side and two end edges and with two quadrant shaped end flap sections extending from each of said end edges said end flap sections being separated from said blank by borders said blanks having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth spaced parallel weakened fold lines dividing said blank into seven adjacent quadrant sections, said first lines being parallel to said side edges; a portion of each of said end edges, said first fold line and one side edge defining a first rib section; a portion of each of said end edges and said first and second fold lines defining a first top section; a portion of each of said end edges and said second and third fold lines defining a first side section; said borders of said end flaps and said third and fourth fold lines defining a bottom section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fourth and fifth fold lines defining a second side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fifth and sixth fold lines defining a second top section; a portion of each of said end edges, said sixth fold line and the other side edge defining a second rib section; said first rib, side and top sections being identical in shape and size with said second rib and top sections respectively, said apparatus comprismg:

an elongated frame,

conveyor means extending along the frame for continuously conveying individual blanks along said frame in a longitudinal direction,

longitudinally extending folding die means fixed on said frame for folding said blanks while said blanks are continuously conveyed longitudinally through said die and along said frame, said folding die means extending longitudinally along said frame in the direction of conveyor movement past a first point on said conveyor, saidfolding means folding said blanks at a right angle along each of said fold lines to form reels, said reel having an elongated quadrant body with said two top sections and said bottom section forming first and second spaced parallel sides of said body, said first and second side sections forming two other parallel spaced sides extending at right angles with respect to said first and second sides,

web forming means folding said rib sections to extend between said first and second sides of said body along the length of said body, said web forming means folding said rib sections into contact with' said second side at said first point,

the improvement which comprises means for folding and attaching said end flap sections to said top sections,

guide means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame at least to said first point to extend into the interior of said folded blank and contact said ribs at said first point to thereby contact and position both of said ribs in said blank so that said ribs extend perpendicular to said first and second sides as said blank moves past said first point; and

compression means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame'compressing said blank at and beyond said first point, said blank being compressed in a direction normal to said first and second sides to thereby retain said ribs in perpendicular position and frictional contact with said second side.

Patent No.

Inventor(s) Dated May 7, 1974 Arthur Keener et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent Column 1, change Column 1, insert Column 1, change Column 1, change Column 3,

insert Column 4, change Column 7, change Column 8, change line and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

11, after "corrugated." and before "or", "cardborad."

to cardboard-.

line ll, after "cardboard" and before "or" -material.

line 34', after "identify and before "type" "th" to the-- line 59, after "apparatus" and before "automatically" "of" to for-.

line 44, after "second" and before "section 52", -side.

line 8, after "As" and before "will" "substantially" to --subseguently.

line 62, after "surface" and before "portion", "or" to of-.

line 4, after "during" and before "of", "movemnt" to -movement-.

Column 13, line 27, after "said" and before "lines",

change "first" to fold.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. Attesting Officer )RM PO-(OSO (10-69) C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 6037B-P89 =1 u.s GOVERNMENT PRINYING OFFICE: I969 0-in-3. 

1. An apparatus for forming a reel for cloth and the like from a blank of sheet material, said blank being quadrant in shape with two side and two end edges, said blank having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth spaced parallel weakened fold lines: defining seven adjacent quadrant sections, said fold lines being parallel to said side edges, a portion of each of said end edges, said first fold line and one side edge and a portion of each of said end edges defining a first rib section; a portion of each of said end edges and said first and second fold lines defining a first top section; a portion of each of said end edges and said second and said third fold lines defining a first side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said third and fourth fold lines defining a bottom section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fourth and fifth fold lines defining a second side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fifth and sixth fold lines deFining a second top section; a portion of each of said end edges, said sixth fold line and the other side edge defining a second rib section; and said first rib, side and top sections being identical in shape and size with said second rib, side and top sections respectively, said apparatus comprising: an elongated frame, conveyor means extending along said frame for continuously conveying individual blanks along said frame in a longitudinal direction, longitudinally extending folding die means fixed on said frame for folding said blanks while said blanks are continuously conveyed longitudinally through said die and along said frame, said folding die means extending longitudinally along said frame in the direction of conveyor movement past a first point on said conveyor, said folding means folding said blanks at a right angle along each of said fold lines to form reels having a quadrant body with said top and bottom sections forming first and second spaced parallel sides of said body, and said first and second side sections forming two other spaced parallel sides extending at right angles to said first and second sides, web forming means folding said rib sections to extend, between said first and second sides of said body along the length of said body, said web forming means folding said rib sections into contact with said second side at said first point, guide means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame at least to said first point to extend into the interior of said folded blank and contact said ribs at said first point to thereby contact and position both of said ribs in said blank so that said ribs extend perpendicular to said first and second sides as said blank moves past said first point; and compression means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame compressing said blank at and beyond said first point, said blank being compressed in a direction normal to said first and second sides to thereby retain said ribs in perpendicular position and frictional contact with said second side.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for folding said blanks initially folding said ribs with respect to said top sections at an angle greater than ninety degrees so that said ribs thereafter return to an angle of 90* with respect to said top sections.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for folding said blanks holds said bottom section in sliding relationship against a flat surface while said blank is conveyed by said conveyor, and wherein means are provided for vertically restraining said bottom adjacent said third and fourth fold lines.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein guide means are provided for positioning said first and second side sections at a right angle with respect to said bottom section during and after folding of said blank.
 5. An apparatus for forming a reel for cloth and the like from a blank of sheet material, said blank being quadrant in shape with two side and two end edges and with two quadrant shaped end flap sections extending from each of said end edges said end flap sections being separated from said blank by borders said blanks having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth spaced parallel weakened fold lines dividing said blank into seven adjacent quadrant sections, said fold lines being parallel to said side edges; a portion of each of said end edges, said first fold line and one side edge defining a first rib section; a portion of each of said end edges and said first and second fold lines defining a first top section; a portion of each of said end edges and said second and third fold lines defining a first side section; said borders of said end flaps and said third and fourth fold lines defining a bottom section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fourth and fifth fold lines defining a second side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fifth and sixth fold lines defining a second top section; A portion of each of said end edges, said sixth fold line and the other side edge defining a second rib section; said first rib, side and top sections being identical in shape and size with said second rib and top sections respectively, said apparatus comprising: an elongated frame, conveyor means extending along the frame for continuously conveying individual blanks along said frame in a longitudinal direction, longitudinally extending folding die means fixed on said frame for folding said blanks while said blanks are continuously conveyed longitudinally through said die and along said frame, said folding die means extending longitudinally along said frame in the direction of conveyor movement past a first point on said conveyor, said folding means folding said blanks at a right angle along each of said fold lines to form reels, said reel having an elongated quadrant body with said two top sections and said bottom section forming first and second spaced parallel sides of said body, said first and second side sections forming two other parallel spaced sides extending at right angles with respect to said first and second sides, web forming means folding said rib sections to extend between said first and second sides of said body along the length of said body, said web forming means folding said rib sections into contact with said second side at said first point, guide means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame at least to said first point to extend into the interior of said folded blank and contact said ribs at said first point to thereby contact and position both of said ribs in said blank so that said ribs extend perpendicular to said first and second sides as said blank moves past said first point, compression means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame compressing said blank at and beyond said first point, said blank being compressed in a direction normal to said first and second sides to thereby retain said ribs in perpendicular position and frictional contact with said second side, and means for folding and attaching said end flap sections to said top sections while said compression means compresses said blanks.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said conveying means transports said blanks in a direction which is transverse to the length of said blank during the folding and attaching of said end flaps.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided to weaken each end flap sections along parallel spaced fold lines prior to said end flaps being folded into position.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein means are provided for attaching said end flap sections to said top sections by means of adhesive material.
 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein means are provided for positioning said end flaps perpendicular to said bottom section while said end flap sections are attached to said top sections by said adhesive material.
 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 additionally comprising means for forming reels of various lengths.
 11. An apparatus for forming a reel for cloth and the like from a blank of sheet material, said blank being quadrant in shape with two side and two end edges, said blank having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth spaced parallel weakened fold lines: defining seven adjacent quadrant sections, said fold lines being parallel to said side edges, a portion of each of said end edges, said first fold line and one side edge and a portion of each of said end edges defining a first rib section; a portion of each of said end edges and said first and second fold lines defining a first top section; a portion of each of said end edges and said second and said third fold lines defining a first side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said third and fourth fold lines defining a bottom section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fourth and fifth fold lines defining a second side section; a portIon of each of said end edges and said fifth and sixth fold lines defining a second top section; a portion of each of said end edges, said sixth fold line and the other side edge defining a second rib section; and said first rib, side and top sections being identical in shape and size with said second rib, side and top sections respectively, said apparatus comprising: an elongated frame, conveyor means extending along said frame for continuously conveying individual blanks along said frame in a longitudinal direction, longitudinally extending folding die means fixed on said frame for folding said blanks while said blanks are continuously conveyed longitudinally through said die and along said frame, said folding die means extending longitudinally along said frame in the direction of conveyor movement past a first point on said conveyor, said folding means folding said blanks at a right angle along each of said fold lines to form reels having a quadrant body with said top and bottom sections forming first and second spaced parallel sides of said body, and said first and second side sections forming two other spaced parallel sides extending at right angles to said first and second sides, web forming means folding said rib sections to extend, between said first and second sides of said body along the length of said body, said web forming means folding said rib sections into contact with said second side at said first point, the improvement which comprises guide means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame at least to said first point to extend into the interior of said folded blank and contact said ribs at said first point to thereby contact and position both of said ribs in said blank so that said ribs extend perpendicular to said first and second sides as said blank moves past said first point; and compression means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame compressing said blank at and beyond said first point, said blank being compressed in a direction normal to said first and second sides to thereby retain said ribs in perpendicular position and frictional contact with said second side.
 12. An apparatus for forming a reel for cloth and the like from a blank of sheet material, said blank being quadrant in shape with two side and two end edges and with two quadrant shaped end flap sections extending from each of said end edges said end flap sections being separated from said blank by borders said blanks having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth spaced parallel weakened fold lines dividing said blank into seven adjacent quadrant sections, said first lines being parallel to said side edges; a portion of each of said end edges, said first fold line and one side edge defining a first rib section; a portion of each of said end edges and said first and second fold lines defining a first top section; a portion of each of said end edges and said second and third fold lines defining a first side section; said borders of said end flaps and said third and fourth fold lines defining a bottom section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fourth and fifth fold lines defining a second side section; a portion of each of said end edges and said fifth and sixth fold lines defining a second top section; a portion of each of said end edges, said sixth fold line and the other side edge defining a second rib section; said first rib, side and top sections being identical in shape and size with said second rib and top sections respectively, said apparatus comprising: an elongated frame, conveyor means extending along the frame for continuously conveying individual blanks along said frame in a longitudinal direction, longitudinally extending folding die means fixed on said frame for folding said blanks while said blanks are continuously conveyed longitudinally through said die and along said frame, said folding die means extending longitudinally along said frame in the direction of conveyor movement past a first point on said conveyor, said folding means folding said blanks at a right angle along each of said fold lines to form reels, said reel having an elongated quadrant body with said two top sections and said bottom section forming first and second spaced parallel sides of said body, said first and second side sections forming two other parallel spaced sides extending at right angles with respect to said first and second sides, web forming means folding said rib sections to extend between said first and second sides of said body along the length of said body, said web forming means folding said rib sections into contact with said second side at said first point, the improvement which comprises means for folding and attaching said end flap sections to said top sections, guide means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame at least to said first point to extend into the interior of said folded blank and contact said ribs at said first point to thereby contact and position both of said ribs in said blank so that said ribs extend perpendicular to said first and second sides as said blank moves past said first point; and compression means mounted on and extending longitudinally along said frame compressing said blank at and beyond said first point, said blank being compressed in a direction normal to said first and second sides to thereby retain said ribs in perpendicular position and frictional contact with said second side. 